I think the point is that people who don't enjoy what they actually spend time doing are fundamentally different employees than those that do. If you are in it

I think the point is that people who don't enjoy what they actually spend time doing are fundamentally different employees than those that do. If you are in it for the cash instead of the technology, if the company falls on hard times you'll be out the door. If a hard problem comes up you might begrudgingly come up with a solution, but some people would be excited and invigorated by solving it. There are many jobs out there for people who are willing to program for money. Those top companies, though, when they aren't desperate for talent, can afford to wait for people who will be enthused by the work, rather than enthused outside of it. Even being motivated by success doesn't mean people will dig in and be motivated to get the day-to-day work done the way people who are motivated by the work itself. Side note: at least home sausage making is quite fun. Squeezing tubes of oatmeal-constancy meat product is awesome in a kindergardener sort of way. Even if I didn't get to eat the product, I would still be entertained. People who aren't? They buy sausage at a store.